Donations make Christmas brighter for Sylvester fire victims

SYLVESTER, GA (WALB) - Strangers are reaching out to help a Sylvester family who lost everything in a house fire last week.

More donations came in as we were there Tuesday afternoon.

Ashley Lewis thought she wouldn't be able to give her kids anything for Christmas, but Sylvester Firefighters helped bring in more donations than they can count.

Ashley Lewis and her family are putting their lives back together after a fire ripped through their home, leaving them with nothing right before Christmas.

"I didn't know what was going to happen. I didn't think they will have anything. That's was my real concern. That was the only thing they kept hollering about was the Christmas stuff gone," said Ashley Lewis.

Little is left of her Curtis Street home. The Sylvester Fire Department put out the flames, and then started collecting donations so Lewis and her two young children can have a Merry Christmas.

"We're not able to help everybody beyond that, but when the opportunity presents itself were going to do what we can to help the people in the community," said Fire Chief Jack Colby.

Their temporary living room is filled with donations and they're still coming in. A family from the marine base dropped of gifts, clothes and other items this afternoon.

"I was very surprised and so happy. I just couldn't believe everything I had received," said Lewis.

"They went to Amazon and purchased things and had them dropped shipped to the department for Ms. Lewis' family. The outpouring of generosity has been overwhelming. Basically, the Christmas spirit is alive and well," said Fire Chief Jack Colby.

The fire is still fresh in Lewis' mind. And the presents are a reminder that she and her family are lucky to be alive.

"I look at it and I always think about waking up and seeing that fire in that kitchen. I always wake up in the middle of the night jumping up looking around making sure nothing is not on fire," said Lewis.

The kids are excited and ready to open their gifts, but they'll have to wait until Christmas Day.

"I was done with everything but really my kids got back double, triple the amount of stuff I had already brought,"

Lewis is also looking for a new home for her family.

Ashley Lewis says she's thankful for all the support. If you'd like to help Lewis and her family in any way, contact her at 229-206-4875.

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